Whether it’s a financial company, a clothing store or a wrestling empire, there is a powerful woman behind some of our country’s biggest brands and most successful businesses. These women worked from the ground up to build their fortunes and are living proof that hard work really does pay off.

These 10 self-made women have made major contributions to American society and continue to improve the lives of scores of U.S. citizens in many ways. Check out this slideshow to learn more about these remarkable individuals.

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